Lin-Manuel Miranda to make music in The Kingkiller Chronicles

This is Lin-Manuel Miranda’s time. The creator of the smash hit musical Hamilton—inspired by Ron Chernow’s biography Alexander Hamilton by the way—Miranda has a Pulitzer Prize, two Grammys, an Emmy, a MacArthur Genius Award, and three Tony awards to his name. Before Hamilton there was another successful Broadway play In the Heights. 

Now Lionsgate is handing Miranda the keys to the kingdom as it were, charging him with the adaptation of Pat Rothfuss Kingkiller Chronicle books. Miranda, who you may have heard composed the music for the current Disney hit Moana, will take on the role of creative producer and musical mastermind of both feature film and TV series adaptations of The Kingkiller Chronicle along with author Pat Rothfuss. Apparently there is music, and Manuel is the man to make it.

“Pat Rothfuss’ ‘Kingkiller’ books are among the most read and re-read in our home. It’s a world you want to spend lifetimes in, as his many fans will attest. Pat also writes about the act of making music more beautifully than any novelist I’ve ever read. I can’t wait to play a part in bringing this world to life onscreen.”  Lin-Manuel Miranda

The books, centered on an orphan magician, sound like they live in much darker territory than the more universally famous Harry Potter, but judging from the novel blurb, Kvothe, like Lin-Manuel Miranda may soon be the  name on everyone’s lips. 

The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicles Series #1)
by Patrick Rothfuss

This is the riveting first-person narrative of Kvothe, a young man who grows to be one of the most notorious magicians his world has ever seen. From his childhood in a troupe of traveling players, to years spent as a near-feral orphan in a crime-riddled city, to his daringly brazen yet successful bid to enter a legendary school of magic, The Name of the Wind is a masterpiece that transports readers into the body and mind of a wizard.

The Wise Man’s Fear (Kingkiller Chronicles Series #2)
by Patrick Rothfuss 

“There are three things all wise men fear: the sea in storm, a night with no moon, and the anger of a gentle man.” 

My name is Kvothe. You may have heard of me.
So begins the tale of a hero told from his own point of view—a story unequaled in fantasy literature. Now in The Wise Man’s Fear, Book Two of The Kingkiller Chronicle, Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time.

Variety reports that ‘‘Miranda has an option to be involved in future stage productions as well. He will serve as producer of the franchise and is expected to compose the original music and write the songs.’’ The film is based on the first book, the series sounds more open-ended and presumably there are more books on the way. Miranda, who apparently got to know Rothfuss on twitter, is a fan.

Fantasy is not big on my reading list but I know many of you are big fans of the genre. Thoughts on this one?